ILOILO City – The electronic bulang (cock derby) operator that has a partnership with the Mandurriao Cockpit Arena here has no authority to operate yet from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR).
E-Sports Encuentro Live Inc. was recently granted by the City Council with a Resolution of No Objection (RONO) as a requirement for its application for a sports betting franchise from PAGCOR.
In his reply letter to Mayor Jerry Treñas, PAGCOR E-Sabong Licensing Department Officer-In-Charge Rodenmarx Gatdula said that to date, they have issued only three e-sabong operations licenses.
From these licenses, two have complied with the requirements of PAGCOR and were given Notice to Commence Operations. These are Belvedere Vista Corp. and Lucy 8 Star Quest, Inc.
“So kon basehan ang sulat sang PAGCOR, amo lang ‘ni sila ang authorized nga mag conduct sang e-sabong sa aton mga bulangan nga mag-cover sang live,” said Councilor Romel Duron, floor leader of the city council.
E-Sports Encuentro Live Corp., which is based in Sta. Cruz, Antipolo, Rizal, has a partnership with the Mandurriao Cockpit Arena for delayed digital broadcasts of cockfighting events.
Since e-bulang operations are under the regulation of PAGCOR, Duron said, it is them that can say if E-Sports Encuentro has committed a violation for operating here without authority.
“Ang makasiling sina ang PAGCOR kay sila ang naga-issue (authority)… ma-presume mo seguro nga nag-violate sila kon amo na nga waay sila gin-authorize,” Duron opined.
“Amon ‘ya Resolution of No Objection man lang… requirement para makakuha sila franchise. As a matter of compliance sa PAGCOR, depende na sila kon ma-comply sila,” he added.
In the letter, Gatdula also answered queries of the city mayor on whether the local government units are authorized to permit the daily operations of authorized cockpit arenas within Iloilo City.
Gatdula said it is clearly stated in the letter of the Department of Justice to PAGCOR dated Jan. 28, 2021 that PAGCOR’s licensing authority and regulatory power shall only extend to the E-Sabong Betting Platform pursuant to its charter.
Meantime, he clarified that the Local Government Code covers traditional cockfighting; it empowers the local government unit (LGU) to regulate cockfighting activities within its territory. What PAGCOR can regulate is the e-sabong betting operation only.
Gatdula further emphasized that under the E-Sabong Regulatory Framework, only cockfighting matches streamed or broadcast live from cockpit arenas licensed or authorized by the LGUs can be used for online betting.
Earlier, Duron proposed an ordinance requiring cockpit operators and online franchise holders to secure special permits in covering online cockfighting events here. This was referred to the committee on ways and means.
To recall, during one of the committee hearings regarding the request of E-Sports Encuentro for a RONO, Atty. Jun Altura, legal adviser of Panay Gamefowl Breeder Association (PAGBA), suggested that the city require online cockpit operators a special permit every time they cover or stream a cockfight.
“Amo lang ‘na ang paagi maka-earn man ang LGU out of this activity,” said Altura./PN
